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From Shack to Spectacular House

It started life as an outbuilding, with old shutters nailed down for a floor. Then, over its 300 years, it grew into a breezy summer cottage. Finally, thanks to a smart remodel, it's now a comfortable family home

Kitchen

The size and shape of the kitchen bumpout was determined by traffic corridors and function. "In a beach house where there's lots of entertaining, I like to allow a 4- to 4½-foot traffic corridor versus the more conventional 3½-foot corridor," says kitchen designer Scott Smith, the architect's husband, who worked with her on the project.

The 13-by-14-foot room includes zones for cooking and cleaning deep within the kitchen along the exterior wall, a center island with an undercounter fridge so that kids can easily grab a juice, and a snack counter on the family room side of a half wall to keep guests nearby but out of the work area.

A built-in storage unit has the furniture look of an antique step-back cupboard, complete with bin pulls and a marble work surface. Beadboard doors, nickel hardware, subway tile, marble counters, an apron-front sink, and old-style work lights give the all-white room its vintage style. A white enamel finish allows the modern range and hood to fit right in.